Woman injured as elephant runs amok at Nemmara

A woman was seriously injured after an elephant ran amok during the Nemmara-Vallanghi temple festival at Nemmara here on Saturday. The incident occurred during the daytime procession.

The elephant, Vailassery Arjunan from Nemmara desom, became uncontrollable while being led towards the temple as part of the ceremonial procession. Panic spread among the crowd, prompting them to run for safety. Several people, including women and children, fell and sustained minor injuries in the chaos.

The elephant was brought under control after half-an-hour, and was subsequently withdrawn from the procession. The procession continued, with three other elephants completing the ceremonial rites.

Thousands of people from across the State had gathered to witness the festival, popularly known as Nemmara-Vallanghi Vela.

Action sought

The Wildlife Protection and Conservation Society (WPCS), in a complaint to the Forest department, has demanded action against the festival organisers, the mahouts and those who gave fitness to the elephant.

WPCS director S. Guruvayurappan said that several norms stipulated for parading of elephants during temple processions were violated. He said the minimum distance between the elephant and the crowds was not maintained and that the mahouts were suspected to have behaved cruelly to the elephant.